Ethologic refers to the study of animal behavior and its underlying causes. Some synonyms for ethologic include animal behaviorist, ethologist, animal psychologist, behavioral ecologist, and zoopsychologist. These terms all describe professionals who specialize in the study of animal behavior, particularly their cognitive processes and social interactions with others of their species. Ethologists and animal behaviorists often work in the field of animal welfare, studying the behavior of animals in captivity and trying to develop strategies to improve their lives. Behavioral ecology is another area of research that overlaps with ethology, and seeks to understand the evolutionary context in which animal behavior has developed.